THE EMPIRE’S NAVY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2470, 22 August 1922, Page 4

THE EMPIRE’S NAVY.

DOMINION’S RESPONSIBILITY. HOW. NEW ZEALAND OAN HELP. WELLINGTON, Aug. 17. The Premier, in a brief reference to New Zealand’s naval responsibility, in the House of Representatives to-night, said that the policy which could be followed, in future for the maintenance of the Empire was set out in the following memoranda from the Admiralty: “The Admiralty emphasises as a first principle of naval defence that it can only be assured by sufficient naval forces capable of offensive action and endowed with that full freedom of movement which can only, be given by adequate fuelling and base facilities, and point out the consequent necessity of the Empire possessing a fleet capable of controlling maritime communications. They outline the naval policy by which New .Zealand can best assist in the Empire naval defence as follows, giving the various points in order of their relative importance: (I);During the period .of financial stringency the maintenance by New Zealand ofxihe nucleus of a sea going squadron, which when times are better can be rapidly expanded, the expansion -to consist of .light cruisers and .ocean going submarines; (2) the provision of oil reserves in'New Zealand; (3) assistance in equipping' Empire naval bases by a financial contribution or the supply tof material manufactured in New Zealand ; (4) providing bases, docks, -depots, l and reserves of stores and fuel in New Zealand for vessels maintajtoed by New'Zealand; (o) providing : f or the local protection of trade and the storage of guns for merchant ships and-their escorts; and providing trained personnel for them; (6) providing mobile defence organisations for ports, including minesweeping organisations.